+++In this age of quick-fix, fast food, instant gratification,microwavable,
life in the fast lane; we have hot-footed our way to obesity, laziness and all kinds of unnecessary illnesses. The only berry most people have seen lately is the black one you talk into not the "blue" or "straw" or "rasp" you savor!
+++Its time to get re-acquainted with the kitchen! I've even heard of some women using their oven as extra storage for boots and handbags! C'mon ladies! Grandma would flip.
+++There are some really easy and quick ways to "cheat" back the calorie overload and add some healthy stuff into the family diet. Maybe even with
no-one ever knowing.
+++For instance, more fiber is essential. Switch to whole wheat or whole grain pasta. If you don't think you like the texture of it just cook it longer so its softer or try different brands til you find one you like. Add (or hide) lots of chunky veggies in the sauce. Onions & garlic are a natural choice, but try zucchini, grated carrots, chopped tomatoes. The more stuff in there, the less likely anyone will notice the extra rich flavor of the whole grain.
+++You can even get real sneaky and pre-cook some extra powerful nutrient-rich super foods such as butternut squash or sweet potatoes. Boil or bake, toss them in the food processor or blender and puree. Add them in to tomato sauce, soup or gravy. Sweet potato, by the way is the single most power-packed thing in the produce aisle!
+++Speaking of gravy. ALWAYS make your own. Boil some chicken in a couple of inches of salted water til done. You can add onion flakes, garlic powder or crushed red pepper flakes if you like. Remove chicken, take off skin and any other undesirable bits. Put the stock in the fridge in a bowl til the grease solidifies and discard, leaving only the delicious gel.
+++Place about a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil in a skillet with about a tablespoon of whole wheat flour. (No need to clog up your digestive tract with any more white flour!) Make gravy by cooking out the "paste-iness" of the flour, adding some chicken tastiness and melt in to desired thickness. You may have to add some water. This chicken broth/gel can be used to flavor just about anything from soup to rice. In fact, use it INSTEAD of water for cous-cous, rice, polenta; anywhere you want more flavor! Repeat after me... More flavor/ less fat.
+++One more thing while I'm bloviating on fat. There's good fat & bad fat.
They make good cholesterol & bad cholesterol, respectively. Extra virgin
olive oil, walnuts, salmon--good; hamburgers, doughnuts, butter--bad!
+++Here's a tip to help. (After all you can't do everything at once.) Take your butter- real butter, not the fake oil stuff, and leave it on the counter til it's really soft. Using a whisk, work in some ex. virgin olive oil. You can add as much as "equal parts" or just 1/2 as much oil as butter. Put in fridge in a small container lined with plastic wrap. You can take it out when it hardens and cut it into "bars" if you need to fool someone! Or, when its semi-soft roll into a "tube" shape. Not yellow enough for you?- add a sprinkle of turmeric, need more salt? add a pinch. Some people get really creative and add herbs or bleu cheese- yum! Keep refrigerated and don't use twice as much!
+++Ok, in review...
*Turn on the oven once in a while!(Don't forget to check for boots!)
*Trick yourself into eating more veggies.
*Treat your loved ones (that means you!) to some laid-back, slowed
down, healthy homemade gravy and real butter. You just gotta learn how to cheat! Stick with me, I'll show ya how. (More healthy cheats to come!)
